Hosepipe Ban Comes Into Effect

Islanders are no longer allowed to use a hosepipe at home.

The 'precautionary measure' could see those who defy the ban fined up to £2,000.

It only applies to households and not commercial water customers, meaning businesses and parishes can still use hosepipes and sprinklers.

However, the Parish of St Helier has taken the decision not to use mains water to maintain its parks and flower displays.

The parish's parks manager, Ian Syvret says saving water is a joint effort.

"We want to join in with Jersey Water to preserve water for islanders and hopefully we can get through this situation without having to turn mains off.

We hope that if we see more heavy downpours we won't have to keep watering anymore, but if we had to water it would be in the Parade Gardens flower display and the water will come from water we've harvested from rainfall."

The Department of Infrastructure has confirmed it has turned off the water curtain at the entrance of Millennium Park.

A government spokesperson has also said that water-saving measures are being discussed across the whole of government.

From today (26 August), using a hosepipe to water your garden, clean your car, fill your pools or clean your windows is prohibited.

Jersey Water CEO, Helier Smith says the restrictions are in place for up to four months, but if rainfall returns to its 'normal autumnal pattern' the measures can be lifted earlier.

The island's water reserves stand at 68% which is 10% below the average for this time of year.

In response, the desalination plant  - which removes the salt from sea water - has been switched on since the start of August.   It costs £8,000 per day to run.

The plant has been pumping 10.8 million litres of water per day - half the islands daily consumption. 

Despite the hot and dry weather Ian Syvret insists that the Town Hall has  'coped' with maintaining St Helier's flower displays but it's been a difficult balancing act.

"We have the rain water harvesting and we need to make that last, so we've tried not to over-water.

Parade Gardens is the bit we've been keeping fairly watered because it's the jewel in the crown,so we need to keep that looking good.

We do take a balance by increasing and decreasing the amount of water we use. We don't use mains water and nor have we had to yet."